System and method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node

Abstract

A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. A message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message includes a multidimensional pointer to a depository of digital multimedia content associated with the network node as well as a timing parameter operable to indicate when the message is to take effect. The multidimensional pointer contains a relative time offset variable as well as a plurality of media identifier dimensions corresponding to a plurality of nested hierarchical levels into which the digital multimedia content is organized. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the multidimensional pointer is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time indicated responsive to the timing parameter.

1. A method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node, comprising:
 receiving a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, at said network node, said multidimensional pointer associated with a media clip in a depository of digital multimedia content that is organized into a nested hierarchical arrangement having a plurality of levels that correspond to respective media identifier dimensions of said RTSP multidimensional pointer, said navigation message further including a relative time offset within said media clip, and a timing parameter operable to indicate when said navigation message is to be activated by said network node; and 
 transferring digital multimedia content to a digital multimedia device by said network node from a particular content source identified by said multidimensional pointer, said transferring commencing at a time indicated responsive to said timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a first level of said depository of digital multimedia content comprises at least one server-side playlist identified by a uniform resource locator. 
     
     
       3. The method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one server-side playlist includes one or more media clips, each being identified by a corresponding media source identifier and a relative time offset within said media clip. 
     
     
       4. The method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said digital multimedia device accesses said network node over at least one of a wireline network, a wireless network, or a cable network. 
     
     
       5. The method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said digital multimedia device comprises at least one of: digital music players, digital video players, computers, or handheld communication devices enabled to accept streaming media. 
     
     
       6. The method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said timing parameter is operable to assume a value selected from the group consisting of: NOW, END OF CLIP, and END OF PLAYLIST. 
     
     
       7. The method as in  claim 1  wherein the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, comprises a 3-tuple of a playlist URL, clip index and the relative time offset. 
     
     
       8. A system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node, comprising:
 means for receiving a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, at said network node, said at least one multidimensional pointer associated with a media clip in a depository of digital multimedia content that is organized into a nested hierarchical arrangement having a plurality of levels that correspond to respective media identifier dimensions of said RTSP multidimensional pointer, said navigation message further including a relative time offset within said media clip, and a timing parameter operable to indicate when said navigation message is to be activated by said network node; and 
 means for transferring digital multimedia content to said digital multimedia device by said network node from a particular content source identified by said multidimensional pointer, said transferring commencing at a time indicated responsive to said timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       9. The system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a first level of said depository of digital multimedia content comprises at least one server-side playlist identified by a uniform resource locator. 
     
     
       10. The system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one server-side playlist includes one or more media clips, each being identified by a corresponding media source identifier and a relative time offset within said media clip. 
     
     
       11. The system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said digital multimedia device is operable to access said network node over at least one of a wireline network, a wireless network, or a cable network. 
     
     
       12. The system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said digital multimedia device comprises at least one of: digital music players, digital video players, computers, or handheld communication devices enabled to accept streaming media. 
     
     
       13. The system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said timing parameter is operable to assume a value selected from the group consisting of: NOW, END OF CLIP, and END OF PLAYLIST. 
     
     
       14. The system as in  claim 8  wherein the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1)_tuple, multidimensional pointer, comprises a 3-tuple of a playlist URL, clip index and the relative time offset. 
     
     
       15. A digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node, comprising:
 logic for receiving a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, at said network node, said message containing at least one multidimensional pointer associated with a media clip in a depository of digital multimedia content that is organized into a nested hierarchical arrangement having a plurality of levels that correspond to respective media identifier dimensions of said RTSP multidimensional pointer, said navigation message further including a relative time offset within said media clip, and a timing parameter operable to indicate when said navigation message is to be activated by said network node; and 
 a player engine operable to play back streaming content from a particular content source identified by said multidimensional pointer, said streaming content commencing at a time indicated responsive to said timing parameter. 
 
     
     
       16. The digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 15 , wherein a first level of said plurality of media identifier dimensions comprises a uniform resource locator identifying a server-side playlist. 
     
     
       17. The digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 16 , wherein a second level of said plurality of media identifier dimensions comprises at least one of a media source identifier for identifying a particular media clip within said server-side playlist or another server-side playlist identifier. 
     
     
       18. The digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said multidimensional pointer includes the relative time offset within said media clip. 
     
     
       19. The digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising means for accessing said network node over at least one of a wireline network, a wireless network, or a cable network. 
     
     
       20. The digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said timing parameter is operable to assume a value selected from the group consisting of: NOW, END OF CLIP, and END OF PLAYLIST. 
     
     
       21. The device as in  claim 15  wherein the the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1)_tuple, multidimensional pointer, comprises a 3-tuple of a playlist URL, clip index and the relative time offset.